Natalia Yurchenko - 1982 World Cup EF - Balance Beam

[@kennyceblack9420]

Who came here from the Instagram video we watched?

[@obitbingjsm1890]

Me

[@AmandaM-w4h]

Yoo

[@vanessavelasquez7707]

Came here after I watched that reel. Impossible stunt!

[@Querzeo]

WWoooooooowwww!!! Spectacular move at 0:55!!!! Absolutely amazing!? Nobody does meves like this nowadays... :-)

[@kras118]

Love the scale after the back walkover

[@gk891]

@akimbohr I had heard that her appearance here was controversial because she wasn't part of the 1981 World team. The Soviets claimed that she was an alternate at the 1979 Worlds and that was her in.

[@isa1285]

Excellent routine by Natalia!!!!

[@akimbohr]

9.90 and a gold in the final. Natalia was a new rising star at this World Cup. Strange that she did not compete in the 1981 WC in Moscow but still had the right to compete in the World Cup the following year.

[@Oksana7305]

That's because most of the 1981 world team had retired apart from Ilienko and Bicherova.

[@admetric]

She was alternate to the 1979 team at World's. That was her ticket.

[@gk891]

I had once read that Natalia Yurchenko was the alternate at both the 1979 Europeans and Worlds for the Soviet team. But she then fell off the radar completely in 1980 and 1981 before coming back strong to win the 1982 World Cup and 1983 World AA gold. Does anyone know what became of her in 1980 and 1981? She seemed like she was on the cusp of making it in the late 70s but then she kind of disappeared for a little while.

[@marlonbrando1908]

Great poise and flair! Unassuming beauty and impactful gymnastics.

[@mindrolling24]

I prefer this type of grace and rhythm compared to the modern jerky, faffing about that you see on beam these days. I hope it goes out of fashion soon.

[@Jackie.D329]

Ok boomer

[@mindrolling24]

@@Jackie.D329 Gen X actually. Former gymnast, former coach, former judge.

[@ddrew4107]

@@mindrolling24 well things change. Maybe in 30 years it’ll change back

[@Katie-j9u]

Me too, way more fluidity and grace back then

[@mindrolling24]

@@ddrew4107 I hope so. Beam is quite annoying to watch at times and would benefit from more classical choreography. The skills are out of this world though!

[@taz1raul]

Yo también vine por un reel jaja

[@em_mkay]

She didn’t compete in 80/81

[@burburchacha]

Simone Biles can do this in her sleep

[@marlonbrando1908]

Great poise and flair! Unassuming beauty and impactful gymnastics.